“Is that it?”
I’m relieved to open my locker and find my coin purse on the upper shelf inside.
“Yes.”
“Good, let’s go. Gonna make sure you get home.”
The butterflies inside of me start crashing against each other inside of me. I know better than to let some strange guy walk me home. It’s not smart. Plus my brothers would kill me if they found out.
“Umm, I think I’ll be okay to head home on my own.”
He shuts my locker door closed.
“After the shit I saw and heard today, I’m driving you home. End of story.”
“Driving?”
That’s an even scarier proposition.
“My car is in the parking lot.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know you.”
“Then let’s get to know each other.”
Juliette
Iglance across the hallway and notice that the library only has a few students inside. There’s a particular alcove inside, where I usually like to read, that I think would be a good place for us to sit and away from prying eyes.
“Let’s go sit in the library.”
He hesitates for a moment then acquiesces.
“Okay.”
“Umm, so did you used to go to this school?”
“This school?” he scoffs. “Hell, no.”
“Okay, so I guess you have something against Penn Washington.”
“I’m a city boy, but now that I’ve met you, I may have to reevaluate my prejudice against the ‘burbs.”
“We haven’t really met though.”
“Haven’t we?”
Every single word he says sets off a tiny little firework inside of me. Something about the way he looks at me and talks to me makes me feel like a spectacular attraction.
“What’s your name?” I finally ask. A question which I should’ve asked about ten minutes ago.
“Joseph.”
A biblical name. My mother would like that.
Wait–what are you saying, crazy girl?
“Nice to meet you, Joseph, I’m Juliette.”
